Burger shop Tom & Eddie's closes its doors in Deerfield

Steve SadinSpecial to the Tribune

Tom & Eddie’s restaurant closed its Deerfield Square location in early September after three years in the village, because it did not perform as the company hoped it would, according to a company spokesperson.

“In the end, this location just did not prove suitable for our concept,” spokesperson Tony Dentice said. “The decision to close our Deerfield location was a difficult one for us and was made after much thought and of course, with a heavy heart.”

The large illuminated letters above the eatery’s entrance have been removed and all that remains on the door is a sign from landlord CRM Properties Group, advertising the space for lease, and a smaller one posted by the restaurant chain.

“The Deerfield Tom & Eddie’s location has permanently closed,” the restaurant’s sign read. “Thank you for your patronage over the last 3+ years. Please visit our locations in Vernon Hills, Lombard and Naperville.”

Though Tom & Eddie’s left before its lease had expired, it is not shirking its responsibilities, according to Chuck Malk, one of the owners of CRM and Deerfield Square. Dentice indicated it was a hard decision to make.

“The decision to close our Deerfield location was a difficult one for us and was made after much thought and of course with a heavy heart,” Dentice said. “Over the past three years we truly enjoyed serving the fresh and delicious Tom & Eddie’s fare to the Deerfield community.”

Malk was aware of the situation before the restaurant decided to depart Deerfield.

“We knew they wanted to go,” Malk said. “They remain obligated under the lease and we are looking for a sub-tenant. This did not meet their expectations.”

Tom & Eddie’s is the third Deerfield Square store to close since July when Ami Ami left. The clothing boutique is planning to open a shop in downtown Highland Park later this month. At the end of August, Mephisto Great Lakes Shoes also closed after 10 years.

Owner Ray Sand, who spent eight years at Bannockburn Green before moving to downtown Deerfield, said he shuttered his business because he felt significant competition from the internet as well as economic pressure. He now operates an online business.

Malk is not worried about the recent moves. He said he has maintained occupancy of more than 90 percent over the years in a shopping center with more than 260,000 square feet.

“It’s cyclical,” he said. “Right now the urban (shopping centers) are hot.”

He recently completed a development in Chicago which was fully leased before construction was complete.